The term 'normal range' in relation to medical tests is rarely used today, as it is regarded as misleading. Just because a patient's result happens to be outside of the normal range for a test, the result is not necessarily abnormal. For this reason, the more appropriate terms 'reference range' and 'reference value' are, often interchangeably, used today.
Medical test results can only be correctly understood or interpreted if they are viewed within the full context of an individual's circumstances. For example, it is easy enough to measure a person's resting heart rate, by simply putting a finger onto the person's pulse point and counting for a minute. On average, the result would probably be a rate of about 70 beats per minute. This can therefore be regarded as pretty much normal.
A regular runner, or any other person in extremely good physical condition, may have a perfectly normal resting pulse rate of only 55 beats per minute. Walking up a hill may increase heart rates up to 120. This can be considered high as a resting rate, but is normal under the circumstances. It becomes obvious that context is important. This is of course the same with all tests. Results outside a certain reference range are, by the way, not automatically signs of a serious illness, but merely indicate that further investigation may be required.
As for the reference range for the Chromogranin A blood test, this is a little difficult to answer. The reason for this lies in the fact that there is no standardized test as yet. Different laboratories use different testing kits and reference ranges. To state any one range here would be taking the risk of possibly causing unnecessary panic. The best thing to do is to contact one's doctor and ask him to explain matters in detail.
Medical test results can only be correctly understood or interpreted if they are viewed within the full context of an individual's circumstances. For example, it is easy enough to measure a person's resting heart rate, by simply putting a finger onto the person's pulse point and counting for a minute. On average, the result would probably be a rate of about 70 beats per minute. This can therefore be regarded as pretty much normal.
A regular runner, or any other person in extremely good physical condition, may have a perfectly normal resting pulse rate of only 55 beats per minute. Walking up a hill may increase heart rates up to 120. This can be considered high as a resting rate, but is normal under the circumstances. It becomes obvious that context is important. This is of course the same with all tests. Results outside a certain reference range are, by the way, not automatically signs of a serious illness, but merely indicate that further investigation may be required.
As for the reference range for the Chromogranin A blood test, this is a little difficult to answer. The reason for this lies in the fact that there is no standardized test as yet. Different laboratories use different testing kits and reference ranges. To state any one range here would be taking the risk of possibly causing unnecessary panic. The best thing to do is to contact one's doctor and ask him to explain matters in detail.
